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Hair Evidence
Hairs, which are composed primarily of the protein keratin, can be defined as slender outgrowths of the skin of mammals. Each species of animal possesses hair with characteristic length, color, shape, root appearance, and internal microscopic features that distinguish one animal from another. Considerable variability also exists in the types of hairs that are found on the body of an animal. In humans, hairs found on the head, pubic region, arms, legs, and other body areas have characteristics that can determine their origin. On animals, hair types include coarse outer hairs or guard hairs, the finer fur hairs, tactile hairs such as whiskers, and other hairs that originate from the tail and mane of an animal.
Because hairs can be transferred during physical contact, their presence can associate a suspect to a victim or a suspect/victim to a crime scene. The types of hair recovered and the condition and number of hairs found all impact on their value as evidence in a criminal investigation. Comparison of the microscopic characteristics of questioned hairs to known hair samples helps determine whether a transfer may have occurred.
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Hair Microscopy
The examination of human hairs in the forensic laboratory is typically conducted through the use of light microscopy. This examination routinely involves a two-step process—the identification of questioned hairs and the comparison of questioned and known hairs. The purpose for conducting this examination is to ascertain whether two or more individuals could have come into contact or whether one or more individuals could have come into contact with an object. This associative evidence is particularly useful in crimes of violence, such as homicide, sexual assault, and aggravated assault, where physical contact may have occurred. Crimes such as burglary and armed robbery typically involve the recovery of debris and articles of clothing which may contain hairs useful for the identification of suspects.
The value of hair evidence is related to the variability of hair characteristics between individuals in the population, which can be visualized through the use of comparison microscopy. There are many factors that impact on the reliability of a hair association, including experience, training, suitability of known hair standards, and adequacy of equipment. Although hair evidence is a valuable tool in human identification, it is difficult to establish a statistical probability for a particular association due in part to the lack of reliable quantitative assessments of the microscopic characteristics present in hairs.
The comparison microscope consists of two compound light microscopes connected by an optical bridge that allows for the simultaneous viewing of questioned hairs and known hairs. Typically, a glass microscope slide containing known or reference hairs is positioned on the stage of one microscope, and a glass microscope slide containing a questioned hair or hairs is positioned on the stage of the other microscope. This enables the hair examiner to compare the microscopic characteristics of the known and questioned hairs in one field. The range of magnification used is approximately 40X to 400X.
The hair examination process involves many different steps, the first of which is to determine whether the hair in question originated from an animal or a human being. If the hair originated from an animal, it is possible to further identify it to a particular type of animal. Although certain hairs can be attributed to species, it is not possible to identify hairs to a specific animal to the exclusion of other similar animals. An example of this occurs when dog hairs can be associated to a particular breed but cannot be identified to a specific dog within that breed.
The comparison microscope is integral to trace evidence examinations.
Two matching hairs identified with the comparison microscope
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Hair Anatomy and Growth
Hair is present on many different regions of the body. Each region, such as the head, pubic area, chest, axillae, and limbs, has hairs with microscopical characteristics attributable to that region. Although it is possible to identify a hair as originating from a particular body area, the regions of the body that are primarily used in forensic comparisons are the head and pubic areas. As hairs undergo a cyclical growth (anagen) and resting phase (telogen), the visible microscopic characteristics are sufficient to determine the phase of growth of the hair.
During the anagen phase, the hair is actively growing, and materials are deposited in the hair shaft by cells found in the follicle. Metabolically active and dividing cells above and around the dermal papilla of the follicle grow upward during this phase, to form the major components of the hair—the medulla, cortex, cuticle, and accompanying root sheath. In the telogen phase, the follicle is dormant or resting. The transition period between the anagen and telogen phases is referred to as the catagen phase.
Hairs are routinely lost during the telogen phase and often become a primary source of evidentiary material. An example of this natural shedding process can be seen when one combs through the hairs on the head. It is not uncommon for hairs of this type to be transferred to another individual or to an object during physical contact. Hairs can also become dislodged from the body while they are in an actively growing state, such as by pulling or by striking with an object. The microscopical appearance of the root area will allow for the determination of the growth phase.
On a healthy head, 80 to 90 percent of the hair follicles are in the anagen phase, 2 percent are in the catagen phase, and 10 to 18 percent are in the telogen phase. Once the hair reaches the telogen phase, the follicles have achieved a mature, stable stage of quiescence. During the telogen phase, the hair is anchored in the follicle only by the root, which is club-shaped. The germ cells below the club-shaped root will give rise to the next generation of an anagen hair. The replacement of human scalp hair occurs in a scattered mosaic fashion with no apparent wave-like or seasonal pattern. The average period of growth for scalp hair is approximately 1,000 days; the resting phase lasts about 100 days. Approximately 10 percent of the hairs on a human head (100/1000), therefore, are in the quiescent telogen phase, and a minimal amount of force—such as that from combing—is required to dislodge the hairs from the dormant follicle.
Naturally shed hairs, such as a head hair dislodged through combing, display undamaged, club-shaped roots.
A hair forcibly removed from the scalp will exhibit stretching and damage to the root area.
Forcibly removed hairs may have tissue attached.
The basic morphology of human hairs is shared by each individual in the population, but the arrangement, distribution, and appearance of individual microscopic characteristics within different regions of hair routinely allow a skilled hair examiner to differentiate hairs between individuals. An analogy would be the ability of an individual to recognize the face of a friend or relative in a crowd even though each person in the crowd possesses ears, eyes, a nose, and a mouth.
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Animal Hairs
Animal hairs discovered on items of physical evidence can link a suspect or location to a crime of violence. A victim placed in a vehicle or held at a location where animals are routinely found often results in the transfer of animal hairs to the victim's clothing. Cat or dog hairs can be found on the adhesive portions of ransom and extortion notes prepared by pet owners. The transfer of pet hairs to the victim or crime scene may also occur when the suspect is a pet owner and has animal hairs on his or her clothing when the contact occurs. This is referred to as a secondary transfer of trace material.
When an animal hair is found, it is identified to a particular type of animal and microscopically compared with a known hair sample from either an animal hair reference collection or a specific animal. If the questioned hair exhibits the same microscopic characteristics as the known hairs, it is concluded that the hair is consistent with originating from that animal. It is noted, however, that animal hairs do not possess enough individual microscopic characteristics to be associated with a particular animal to the exclusion of other similar animals.
The collection of a suitable known animal hair standard is necessary before a meaningful comparison can be conducted. Because hairs can vary widely in color and length on different areas of the body of an animal, hairs should be collected from each area. While a minimum number of hairs is difficult to determine, good judgment should be used in collecting enough hairs to represent the various types and colors of hairs found on the animal. The sample should contain full-length hairs and should include combings as well as pluckings. If the animal is not available for sample collection, a brush or comb used for the animal may be substituted. Sometimes hair samples collected from a dog or cat bed may be useful when actual samples from the animal cannot be obtained.
A muskrat hair
A deer hair
Animal hairs found at crime scenes or on the clothing of suspects and victims may also have originated from a fur coat or pelt. These hairs may have been artificially colored or trimmed and often do not have a root. It is preferred that the entire fur garment be obtained so that suitable known samples can be submitted for comparison.
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Human Hairs
As stated previously, physical contact may result in the transfer of hairs. These can transfer directly from the region of the body where they are growing—a primary transfer—or they can transfer from the clothing of individuals—a secondary transfer. It has been reported that approximately 100 head hairs are shed by an individual each day. These hairs are shed on clothing and on items in the environment. Contact between a victim and a suspect's environment can easily cause a secondary transfer of hair. Hairs that are found on the clothing of suspects or victims and appear to have fallen out naturally may be the result of primary or secondary transfer. Hairs that have been forcibly removed may suggest a violent confrontation.
Body Area Determination
The body area from which a hair originated can be determined by general morphology. Length, shape, size, color, stiffness, curliness, and microscopic appearance all contribute to the determination of body area. Pigmentation and medullar appearance also influence body area identification. Hairs that exhibit microscopic characteristics shared by different anatomical areas are often referred to as body hairs. These include hairs found on the upper legs, lower abdomen, and back. Because there is a wide range of interpersonal variation in head and pubic hairs, the majority of work in forensics has been in comparing and differentiating hairs from the head and pubic regions.
Head Hairs
Head hairs are usually the longest hairs on the human body. They are characterized as having a uniform diameter and, often, a cut tip. Head hairs can appear uncut, with tapered tips but are more often cut with scissors, razors, or clippers. In general these hairs are subject to more alteration than hairs from other body areas. Alterations to the natural appearance of hair include use of hair dyes, rinses, permanents, frosts, and other chemical applications. Environmental alterations can result from exposure to excessive sunlight, wind, dryness, and other conditions. Because these hairs can be affected by a number of environmental and chemical conditions, it is recommended that head hair samples be obtained as soon as possible from suspects and victims of crime. Head hair samples obtained years after a crime are generally not suitable for meaningful comparison purposes.
As head hairs are routinely compared in a forensic laboratory, it is important to obtain suitable known samples from suspects and victims and possibly from other individuals (elimination samples). The known sample should contain a random sampling of hair from different areas of the scalp. The number of hairs required for a meaningful comparison may vary depending on the uniformity of characteristics present in the hairs from an individual. Because this is not known when the hair sample is taken, obtain at least 25 full-length hairs. This hair sample should include both plucked and combed hairs, packaged separately.
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A razor-cut hair
A split hair
A hair with a cut tip
Pubic Hairs
Pubic hairs are also routinely compared in a forensic laboratory. As with head hairs, considerable variation exists between individuals in the population. Pubic hairs are not subject to as much change as head hairs over time, and because of this, a sample taken a year or more after a crime may still be suitable for meaningful comparison purposes. It is recommended that a known pubic hair sample be obtained as soon as possible after a crime and should contain at least 25 full-length hairs taken from different areas of the pubic region.
A hair showing buckling
Pubic hairs are generally coarse and wiry in appearance. They exhibit considerable diameter variation or buckling and often have a continuous to discontinuous medulla. While tapered tips are common, these hairs may also be abraded or cut.
Facial Hairs
Facial hairs are more commonly called beard hairs or mustache hairs. These hairs are coarse in appearance and can have a triangular cross section. Heavy shouldering or troughs in the hair are observed under magnification. Other characteristics include a wide medulla and a razor-cut tip.
The presence of facial hairs on the clothing of a suspect or victim may help establish contact between these individuals. While these hairs may be compared microscopically, the significance of the association may not be as great as head hair and pubic hair associations.
Limb Hairs
Hairs from the legs and arms constitute limb hairs. These hairs are shorter in length, arc-like in shape, and often abraded or tapered at the tips. The pigment in limb hair is generally granular in appearance, and the medulla is trace to discontinuous.
While limb hairs are not routinely compared in a forensic laboratory, they can differ in appearance between individuals. These differences, however, are not considered sufficient to allow limb hairs to be of value for meaningful comparison purposes. The presence of leg or arm hairs on certain items of evidence may help to corroborate other investigative information.
Fringe Hairs
Hairs originating from areas of the body outside those specifically designated as head or pubic are generally not suitable for significant comparison purposes. These hairs might originate from the neck, sideburns, abdomen, upper leg, and back.
Other Body Area Hairs
Axillary (underarm) hairs, chest hairs, eye hairs, and nose hairs are not routinely compared. As with limb hairs and fringe hairs, their presence may help to corroborate information obtained during an investigation.
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Racial Determination
A human hair can be associated with a particular racial group based on established models for each group. Forensic examiners differentiate between hairs of Caucasoid (European ancestry), Mongoloid (Asian ancestry), and Negroid (African ancestry) origin, all of which exhibit microscopic characteristics that distinguish one racial group from another. Head hairs are generally considered best for determining race, although hairs from other body areas can be useful. Racial determination from the microscopic examination of head hairs from infants, however, can be difficult, and hairs from individuals of mixed racial ancestry may possess microscopic characteristics attributed to more than one racial group.
The identification of race is most useful as an investigative tool, but it can also be an associative tool when an individual's hairs exhibit unusual racial characteristics.
Caucasoid (European)
Hairs of Caucasoid or Caucasian origin can be of fine to medium coarseness, are generally straight or wavy in appearance, and exhibit colors ranging from blonde to brown to black. The hair shafts of Caucasian hairs vary from round to oval in cross section and have fine to medium-sized, evenly distributed pigment granules.
Mongoloid (Asian)
Hairs of Mongoloid or Asian origin are regularly coarse, straight, and circular in cross section, with a wider diameter than the hairs of the other racial groups. The outer layer of the hair, the cuticle, is usually significantly thicker than the cuticle of Negroid and Caucasian hairs, and the medulla, or central canal, is continuous and wide. The hair shaft, or cortex, of Mongoloid hair contains pigment granules that are generally larger in size than the pigment granules of Caucasian hairs and which often appear to be grouped in patchy areas within the shaft. Mongoloid hair can have a characteristic reddish appearance as a product of its pigment.
Negroid (African)
Hairs of Negroid or African origin are regularly curly or kinky, have a flattened cross section, and can appear curly, wavy, or coiled. Negroid pigment granules are larger than those found in Mongoloid and Caucasian hair and are grouped in clumps of different sizes and shapes. The density of the pigment in the hair shaft may be so great as to make the hair opaque. A Negroid hair shaft exhibits variation or apparent variation in diameter because of its flattened nature and the manner in which it lies on the microscope slide. Twisting of the hair shaft, known as buckling, can be present, and the hair shaft frequently splits along the length.
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Caucasian or European hair
Mongoloid or Asian hair
Negroid or African hair
Age and Sex
The age of an individual cannot be determined definitively by a microscopic examination; however, the microscopic appearance of certain human hairs, such as those of infants and elderly individuals, may provide a general indication of age. The hairs of infants, for example, are generally finer and less distinctive in microscopic appearance. As individuals age, hair can undergo pigment loss and changes in the configuration of the hair shaft to become much finer and more variable in diameter.
Although the sex of an individual is difficult to determine from microscopic examination, longer, treated hairs are more frequently encountered in female individuals. Sex can be determined from a forcibly removed hair (with tissue), but this is not routinely done. Definitive determination of sex can be accomplished through the staining of sex chromatin in the cells found in the follicular tissue, but nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) tests will provide more specific information regarding the possible origin of the hair.
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Stained sex chromatin in the nuclei of human cells showing the female-indicative Barr body (bright spot, top) and the male-indicative Y body (bright spot, bottom)
Treatment and Removal
The presence of artificial treatment such as dyes or rinses can be identified through microscopical examination. Inasmuch as head hairs grow at the rate of one centimeter per month, the approximate time of this treatment can be determined by measuring the length of untreated area of the hair. A direct, side-by-side comparison of the color of the questioned and known artificially treated hairs is typically conducted by a hair examiner.
As stated previously, the condition of the root area of a hair allows the hair examiner to microscopically determine whether the hair was forcibly removed from the body or shed naturally. Hairs that fall out naturally have a club-shaped root, whereas a forcibly removed hair will be stretched and may have tissue attached to it. The manner in which a hair was removed can have considerable value, especially when there is a possibility of violent contact between a suspect and a victim. The identification of burned, cut, or crushed hairs can also be established through microscopic examination.
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Biological or Environmental Alteration
The microscopic appearance of hairs is affected by natural biological fluctuations and environmental influences. For this reason, it is important that known hair standards are collected contemporaneously to the deposition of questioned hairs. Head hairs are most affected by these factors, whereas pubic hairs are less influenced. A time period of several months to years can detract from a meaningful head hair comparison, whereas several years may not severely impact on meaningful pubic hair comparisons.
When hairs originate from a body in a state of decomposition, a dark band may appear near the root of the hair. This characteristic has been labeled a postmortem root band.
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A postmortem root band
There are several possible conclusions that can be reached from the microscopic examination and comparison of human hairs. When the questioned hair(s) is compared to the known hairs using a comparison microscope, the full length of the hair(s) as well as the full range of microscopic characteristics must be considered. Following their analyses, hair examiners may conclude the following:
The questioned hair exhibits the same microscopic characteristics as the hairs in the known hair sample and, accordingly, is consistent with originating from the source of the known hairs.
The questioned hair is microscopically dissimilar to the hairs found in the known hair sample and, accordingly, cannot be associated to the source of the known hairs.
Similarities and slight differences were observed between the questioned hair and hairs in the known hair sample. Accordingly, no conclusion could be reached as to whether the questioned hair originated from the same source as the known hairs.
When a hair exhibits the same microscopic characteristics as hairs in the known hair sample, a qualifying statement may be added to the report. This statement may read as follows:
Hair comparisons are not a basis for absolute personal identification. It should be noted, however, that because it is unusual to find hairs from two different individuals that exhibit the same microscopic characteristics, a microscopic association or match is the basis for a strong association.
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Significance of Hair Evidence
The significance of hair examination results is dependent on the method of evidence collection used at the crime scene, the evidence processing techniques employed, the methodology of the hair examination process, and the experience of the hair examiner. Head hairs and pubic hairs are routinely held as more significant than hairs from other body areas.
Certain case situations affect the significance of identifying hairs. When a family member may be involved in a crime, the location, number, and condition (forcibly pulled or burnt, for example) of recovered hairs may be important. The involvement of the victim's associates, including dates, coworkers, and other people who may have logical contact with or access to the victim and/or crime scene is an additional consideration in hair examinations. Situations involving strangers have greatest significance when hair associations have been made.
Hair affected by burning
Questions concerning hair examinations and their significance include:
Is the significance of a hair association dependent on a set number of compared characteristics?
Does the length of the compared hairs affect the significance of an association?
Does treatment influence the significance?
Are hairs of specific racial groups more significant than others?
Do hair sprays, gels, or other hair applications influence the significance of a hair match?
Is a hair match significant when the comparison was made with a limited number of known hairs?
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The hair identification process involves the examination and comparison of hair characteristics along the entire length of the hair(s). Longer hairs have more characteristics to compare, and the greater the variation along the length, the greater the degree of significance.
The value of the evidence in establishing a particular association can be influenced by
the probability that the association (or elimination)
was due to coincidence,
the probability that the association (or elimination)
was due to examiner error, and
the probability that there is an alternative
explanation for the evidence, such as secondary transfer,
contamination, or deliberate planting.
The significance of a hair match is influenced by how often the examiner has seen certain characteristics as well as by how often the examiner has seen hairs of a particular race or body area.
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The range of opinions concerning hair examinations includes:
Nothing about hair is comparable to the specificity of
fingerprints, and at best, the probability of establishing
identification from hair is no greater than the probability of determining identification using the ABO blood group system;
Research studies have shown that hairs from
two individuals are distinguishable; that no accidental
or coincidental matches occurred; and that such accidental or coincidental matches would, in actual casework, be a relatively rare event; and
The significance of a hair match is a median point between the above statements.
It has also been stated that hair evidence is only of value when used in conjunction with other evidence.
Positive hair comparison conclusions may be weakened by the presence of incomplete hairs; by common, featureless hairs; and by known samples with large intrasample variation. Conversely, positive hair comparison conclusions are strengthened by the presence of two or more mutually dissimilar hairs that are similar to a known sample; by hairs with unusual characteristics; by two-way transfers; and by additional examinations of confirmation, such as DNA and sex-typing.
Normal negative hair comparison conclusions are weakened by deficiencies in the known hair sample, including too few hairs, unrepresentative hairs, incomplete hairs, and a significant temporal difference between the offense and the collection of the known sample. Negative hair comparison conclusions are also weakened by the presence of incomplete questioned hairs and by similarities and differences within the hair sample.
Factors which strengthen normal negative hair comparison conclusions include a large quantity of known sample hairs; little intrasample variation within the known sample; and hairs that are very dissimilar, such as those exhibiting distinct racial and/or microscopic characteristics. Two or more questioned hairs that are found together in a clump and are dissimilar to the known sample will also support a negative hair comparison conclusion.


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Chapter XXIX.—Discovery of the Remains of the Prophets Habakkuk and Micah. Death of the Emperor Theodosius the Great.
While the Church everywhere was under the sway of these eminent men, the clergy and people were excited to the imitation of their virtue and zeal. Nor was the Church of this era distinguished only by these illustrious examples of piety; for the relics of the proto-prophets, 1574 Habakkuk, and a little while after, Micah, were brought to light about this time. As I understand, God made known the place where both these bodies were deposited by a divine vision in a dream to Zebennus, who was then acting as bishop of the church of Eleutheropolis. The relics of Habakkuk were found at Cela, a city formerly called Ceila. The tomb of Micah was discovered at a distance of ten stadia from Cela, at a place called Berathsatia. 1575 This tomb was ignorantly styled by the people of the country, "the tomb of the faithful"; or, in their native language, Nephsameemana. These events, which occurred during the reign of Theodosius, were sufficient for the good repute of the Christian religion.
After conquering Eugenius, 1576 Theodosius the emperor remained for some time at Milan, and here he was attacked with a serious malady. He recalled to mind the prediction of the monk, John, and conjectured that his sickness was unto death. He sent in haste for his son Honorius from Constantinople; and on seeing him by, he seemed to be easier, so that he was able to be present at the sports of the Hippodrome. After dinner, however, he suddenly grew worse, and sent to desire his son to preside at the spectacle. He died on the following night. This event happened during the consulate of the brothers Olybrius and Probianus. 1577
Soc. v. 26; Ruf. H. E. ii. 34; Theodoret, H. E. v. 25; Philost. xi. 2; Zos. iv. 59. For a different view of the private life of Theodosius, see Eunap. Fragm. ii. 42, 49; Philost. xi. 2; Zos. iv. 33, 44.
397:1577a.d. 395. Idat. Descr. Coss.; Marcel. Com. chron.
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Whether you're talking about politics, war, or economics, you will find no shortage of commentary from people who claim to be giving you sound advice, but are really just telling you what you want to hear. Or worse, their opinions are based on what they so desperately hope to be true. That's why the best prognosticators are the people who aren't infected with wishful thinking. They're able to confront the truth, no matter how painful that truth is. One of these rare individuals is Marin Katusa, a hedge fund manager who predicted in 2011 that the price of gold and oil would soon crash, despite the jeers of just about everyone else in the investing community. He's also the author of the bestselling book, "The Colder War," which vividly explains Putin's rise to power and his nation's domination of the energy sector.
In the following interview with Future Money Trends, Katusa not only details his expectations for a variety of market sectors like gold mining and energy, but explains exactly why, contrary to what most observers believed before the election, Trump and Putin are likely to clash in the near future; a scenario which could lead to serious geopolitical and economic consequences.
You don't know what to expect with Trump… And from an Art of War standpoint that is the worst possible thing for someone like Putin, who is very pragmatic, to deal with someone like trump… because you don't know what to expect.
Watch the full interview with Marin Katusa:
While Katusa is certainly no slouch when it comes to geopolitics, his analysis really shines when he talks about the state of the precious metal markets. He has a deep understanding of what assets like gold are for, and the market forces that drive its price.
I do believe that we're just in the first couple of innings of a major, major gold run… I can't emphasize this enough, gold is wealth insurance.
You have a house, you have a family, you have home insurance. I don't understand why banks, pension funds, and all these different sovereign wealth funds—and I consult with a lot of wealthy wealthy people, and they go 'wow we never thought of it that way.'
All gold is, is an insurance on your wealth. It has been for thousands of years. Its a truism. It's just truth…
You've probably heard similar interpretations of gold's place in the economy. In fact, most investors understand that gold can be a safe haven asset. But only someone like Marin Katusa can eloquently explain why it's a safe haven asset, and how its price could explode during the next financial crisis.
You see, what most people don't realize is that the financial community has almost no exposure to gold. In fact, many of the wealthiest people in the world don't really take it seriously, even though its price continues to rise every time a crisis strikes. Now imagine what would happen if the biggest financial players were spooked by a major shock to the global economy. If only a tiny fraction of their wealth went towards gold, there would be unprecedented effects:
…People with money haven't even started with this. Look at the pension funds. Did you know that for like the last 70 years that you could track this, they're at their all time low for their exposure in gold? Pension funds, the sovereign wealth funds, we're talking like less than .2% of their funds are allocated to gold and the gold sector.
So that's going to change Dan. When it's at the all time low you know it can't get much lower than .2%. So if it even gets to .3%, that's a 50% increase to a very very small sector. Remember, Apple could buy up every gold mining producer, mid-tier, and exploration development company in the world, and it wouldn't even matter to their cash position. It's a very very small sector and I think we're in the very early days. I think it's going to be great.
Watch Marin Katusa's full interview at Youtube and visit Future Money Trends for more expert guidance, market commentary and news.


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The Dead Who Die in the Lord
I shall speak of a subject which strikes dread—even terror—into the hearts of most men. It is something we fear, of which we are sorely afraid, and from which most of us would flee if we could.
I shall speak of the passing of the immortal soul into the eternal realms ahead, of that dread day when we shall shuffle off this mortal coil and go back to the dust from whence we came. I shall speak of death—mortal death, the natural death, the death of the body—and of the state of the souls of men when this final consummation is imposed upon them.
Manifestly, we must all be guided and enlightened by the power of the Holy Spirit as we step into this realm, this realm of which carnal men know so little, but of which so much has been revealed to the saints of the Most High.
I pray that my words, spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost, shall sink deeply into your hearts by the power of that same Spirit, so that you will know of their truth and verity.
For a text I take these sweet and consoling words of biblical origin: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (Ps. 116:15.) To them I append Paul's pointed and painful pronouncement: "The sting of death is sin." (1 Cor. 15:56.)
Death can be comforting and sweet and precious or it can thrust upon us all the agonies and sulphurous burnings of an endless hell. And we—each of us individually—make the choice as to which it shall be.
If we are to place death in its proper perspective in the eternal scheme of things, we must first learn the purposes of life. We must know whence we came, Whose we are, and why He placed us here. Only then can we envision whither we shall yet go in the providences of Him who made us.
We know, because the Lord has revealed it in this our day, that we are the spirit children of an exalted, glorified Being, a Holy Man who has a body of flesh and bones and who is our Father in heaven.
We know that the name of the kind of life He lives is eternal life and that it consists of living in the family unit and of possessing all power, all might, and all dominion.
We know that He ordained and established the plan of salvation to enable us to advance and progress from our spirit state, to the same state of glory, honor, and exaltation which He Himself possesses.
We know that the Father's plan called for the creation of this earth, where we could dwell as mortals, receive bodies made of the dust of the earth, and undergo the tests and trials which now face us.
We know that this plan of salvation included provisions for the fall of man, with its consequent temporal and spiritual death; for a redemption from death through the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God; and for an inheritance of eternal life for all the obedient.
We know that this great plan of progression called for a birth which would provide a mortal tabernacle for our eternal spirits, and for a death which would free those spirits from the frailties, diseases, and weaknesses of mortality.
And may I say that this life never was intended to be easy. It is a probationary estate in which we are tested physically, mentally, morally, and spiritually. We are subject to disease and decay. We are attacked by cancer, leprosy, and contagious diseases. We suffer pain and sorrow and afflictions. Disasters strike; floods sweep away our homes; famines destroy our food; plagues and wars fill our graves with dead bodies and our broken homes with sorrow.
We are called upon to choose between the revealed word of God and the soul-destroying postulates of the theoretical sciences. Temptations, the lusts of the flesh, evils of every sort all these are part of the plan, and must be faced by every person privileged to undergo the experiences of mortality.
The testing processes of mortality are for all men, saints and sinners alike. Sometimes the tests and trials of those who have received the gospel far exceed any imposed upon worldly people. Abraham was called upon to sacrifice his only son. Lehi and his family left their lands and wealth to live in a wilderness. Saints in all ages have been commanded to lay all that they have upon the altar, sometimes even their very lives.
As to the individual trials and problems that befall any of us, all we need say is that in the wisdom of Him who knows all things, and who does all the things well, all of us are given the particular and specific tests that we need in our personal situations. It is to us, His saints, that the Lord speaks when He says: "I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy.
"For if ye will not abide in my covenant ye are not worthy of me." (D&C 98:14–15.)
Now, what of death? of the passing of loved ones? of our life beyond the grave?
Our scriptures say: "Death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator." (2 Ne. 9:6.) Where the true Saints are concerned there is no sorrow in death except that which attends a temporary separation from loved ones. Birth and death are both essential steps in the unfolding drama of eternity.
We shouted for joy at the privilege of becoming mortal because without the tests of mortality there could be no eternal life. We now sing praises to the great Redeemer for the privilege of passing from this life because without death and the resurrection we could not be raised in immortal glory and gain eternal life.
When the faithful saints depart from this life they "are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow" (Alma 40:12), and they remain in this state until the day of their resurrection.
When the wicked and ungodly depart from this life they continue in their wickedness and rebellion. "That same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time ye go out of this life," the scripture says, "that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world." (Alma 34:34.)
"Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ," Nephi said to members of the Church, "having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." (2 Ne. 31:20.) That is to say—all the faithful Saints, all of those who have endured to the end, depart this life with the absolute guarantee of eternal life.
There is no equivocation, no doubt, no uncertainty in our minds. Those who have been true and faithful in this life will not fall by the wayside in the life to come. If they keep their covenants here and now and depart this life firm and true in the testimony of our blessed Lord, they shall come forth with an inheritance of eternal life.
We do not mean to say that those who die in the Lord, and who are true and faithful in this life, must be perfect in all things when they go into the next sphere of existence. There was only one perfect man—the Lord Jesus whose Father was God.
There have been many righteous souls who have attained relative degrees of perfection, and there have been great hosts of faithful people who have kept the faith, and lived the law, and departed this life with the full assurance of an eventual inheritance of eternal life.
There are many things they will do and must do, even beyond the grave, to merit the fulness of the Father's kingdom in that final glorious day when the great King shall say unto them, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matt. 25:34.)
But what we are saying is that when the saints of God chart a course of righteousness, when they gain sure testimonies of the truth and divinity of the Lord's work, when they keep the commandments, when they overcome the world, when they put first in their lives the things of God's kingdom: when they do all these things, and then depart this life—though they have not yet become perfect—they shall nonetheless gain eternal life in our Father's kingdom; and eventually they shall be perfect as God their Father and Christ His Son are perfect.
Is it any wonder that the scriptures say: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints"? (Ps. 116:15.) Truly such is precious, wondrous, and glorious, for when the saints die, added souls have assured themselves of exaltation with Him who provided the way for them to advance and progress and become like Him.
Is it any wonder that the scriptures say: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord," for they shall "rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Rev. 14:13.) Truly it is a blessed occasion, for the faithful saints have filled the full measure of their creation, and a gracious God will give them all things in due course.
Is it any wonder that the Lord says to His saints, "Those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them"? (D&C 42:46.)
Is it any wonder that the Prophet Joseph Smith said such things as: "When men are prepared, they are better off to go hence"? (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 326.)
"Those who have died in Jesus Christ may expect to enter into all that fruition of joy when they come forth, which they possessed or anticipated here." (Teachings, p. 295.)
"In the resurrection, some are raised to be angels, others are raised to become Gods." (Teachings, p. 312.)
Now, we do not seek death, though it is part of the merciful plan of the great Creator. Rather, we rejoice in life, and desire to live as long as we can be of service to our fellowmen. Faithful saints are a leaven of righteousness in a wicked world.
But sometimes the Lord's people are hounded and persecuted. Sometimes He deliberately lets His faithful saints linger and suffer, in both body and spirit, to prove them in all things, and to see if they will abide in His covenant, even unto death, that they may be found worthy of eternal life. If such be the lot of any of us, so be it.
But come what may, anything that befalls us here in mortality is but for a small moment, and if we are true and faithful God will eventually exalt us on high. All our losses and sufferings will be made up to us in the resurrection.
We shall be raised from mortality to immortality, from corruption to incorruption. We shall come forth from the grave in physical perfection. Not a hair of the head shall be lost, and God shall wipe away all tears.
If we have lived the gospel we shall come forth with celestial bodies which are prepared to stand the glory of a celestial kingdom. We shall continue to live in the family unit, and as Joseph Smith said, "That same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy." (D&C 130:2.)
We rejoice in life. We rejoice in death. We have no desires except to do the will of Him whose we are and to dwell with Him in His kingdom at the appointed time.
O that it might be with each of us as it was with that valiant apostle of old who said, as the hour of his death approached:
"I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Tim. 4:6–8.)
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.


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Although life would be possible without our gadgets, it certainly wouldn't be half as much fun. As such, a ceremony that celebrates the hi-tech hardware must-haves of the past 12 months seems like an excellent idea.
The T3 Gadget Awards 2009 is that ceremony: with in excess of 150 nominated gadgets split over 18 categories, it's been described in some quarters as "the gadget Oscars".
You currently have the chance to vote for your favourite product in each category, one of which is Music Product of the Year. Has Korg's Kaosillator mini-synth been your most-loved gadget, or are you still in the thrall of last year's winner, Apple's iPod touch? Now's your chance to let the world know.
Other categories include Game of the Year, TV of the Year and Commuter Gadget of the Year.
As if giving your favourite gadgets some recognition wasn't enough, there's an extra incentive to vote. Anyone who does so stands a chance of winning a host of amazing tech-related booty - there's a gadget prize to give away each week including games consoles, DAB radios and music download subscriptions.
You can cast your votes at the T3 Gadget Awards 2009 website. Voting closes on 22 July.
Watch the video below to see highlights of last year's ceremony. The 2009 awards will be handed out in London on 6 October (venue TBC).


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TechRadar Verdict
- +
Superb-sounding combination
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Excellent build
- +
Impressive flexibility
- -
Will not flatter poor recordings
Why you can trust TechRadar
Onkyo has been out of the high-end hi-fi market for almost twenty years – long enough for us to believe that they had left it for good. But the brand is back and it has come out shooting.
The components you see here are the M-3000R and M5000R amplifier pairing which are part of a new range of elite, flagship hi-fi products for 2011. This on its own would be good news.
What makes it even better is the fact that these units are no-compromise designs, packed with features and with some very handsome styling, not to mention a whacking great pair of VU meters on the power amplifier which hark back to when Japanese high end was a force to be reckoned with.
This is also not a one-off exercise. These components are the fi rst of a number of new two-channel products. If these future products are as technically interesting as these two units here, we can't wait.
Entirely symmetrical
The M-5000R power amp is the more conventional of the two units. It uses a Class A/B layout to achieve 80 watts into eight ohms, rising to 150 into four.
The decision to use Class A/B is interesting, as many recent Onkyo stereo amplifiers have been Class D. The revision back to more conventional technology suggests that Onkyo feels there is life in the old power-hungry dog yet, at least at this price point.
The internal layout is entirely symmetrical and terminates in a hefty pair of speaker posts. Used in stereo mode, the M-5000R can only be used with unbalanced RCA inputs, but a single XLR input is fitted allowing use as a monoblock.
The VU meters on the front can be used at two different sensitivity measurements or can be switched off if too distracting. The inner child in us liked the meters far too much to do this and although not the most accurate gauges going, they do give a useful heads-up if you are overdriving.
The £1,700 P-3000R preamp is rather more unusual in comparison to the competition. As well as three line inputs, a tape loop and a MM phono stage, Onkyo has fitted no less than six digital inputs. These include a balanced AES-type fitting and a USB input, as well as a pair of each of the more conventional coaxial and optical connections.
All six inputs are decoded by a pair of 32-bit/192kHz Burr-Brown PCM1795 DACs and are selected off the same rotary selector as the analogue inputs. If you are not using the digital inputs, the entire board can be powered-down and the digital inputs disappear from the list selected by the input dial. This connectivity puts the P-3000R in a different group altogether to most similarly priced preamps.
The presence of a high-quality dual-mono DAC board means that the budget for a digital source need not be as high as might otherwise be the case for a conventional allanalogue preamp. Were we seeking the moon on a stick, we would have really liked the phono stage to support moving coil cartridges and for one of the two pre-outs to be a balanced type, to more easily allow the use of mono M-5000Rs, but this is still a huge amount of functionality for the money.
Both components are built in a fashion that is classic Japanese high end (although both are actually assembled in Malaysia). Panel gaps are minute, the top panel fixings are secured by beautifully countersunk bolts to keep the top panel flush and the controls move with a precision and solidity that suggests an equal amount of attention has been lavished on bits you cannot see.
Other than the display of the preamp – which might have looked slicker if a dot matrix had been used (it can be switched off) – this pair is built to the standard that is to be expected from similarly priced competition product.
The result of this unusual pairing is subtly different to most of the key competition. The Onkyo delivers a competitive power output and is built to the standards we expect at the price, but the selection of inputs on the preamp and the high-quality DAC board put it far ahead in terms of convenience. This is an amplifier designed with present and future developments in source equipment in mind rather than a 'by the numbers' exercise.
The last ingredient to what could be a very tasty recipe indeed is how it sounds. In a word – fabulous. Even from cold, the Onkyo is a fluent and open performer.
The 80 watts of the M-5000R feels unburstable in use and the pairing can deliver all, but the most extreme levels from most speakers. This ability translates into short listening sessions becoming all-evening affairs as you work through your music collection seeing what the Onkyo brings to their reproduction.
In the course of listening, the Onkyo shows itself to be a magnificent all-rounder with a real set of talents that benefit virtually all genres of music. This isn't a rockers' amp or a classical music amp. In the widest possible sense, it's for the music lover.
Astonishing vitality
The analogue inputs of the P-3000R are essentially transparent and allow the character of the source to be clearly present in the performance. Connecting a Michell Gyrodec and Naim Stageline phono stage is like listening to them directly with no sense of any intervening electronics present.
It almost goes without saying that the P-3000R proves totally silent in use, providing a unobtrusive backdrop to performances. The digital inputs of the P-3000R do, if anything, have a greater personality.
The digital board of the Onkyo is astonishingly insightful and able to extract incredible detail from recordings. The pairing will not flatter poor recordings, however. They're happier with the compressed version of a good recording than the lossless version of a poor one.
These traits extend to the USB input which – once the connected PC has been given the latest USB drivers available – work seamlessly and silently. The performance over USB is identical to the more conventional digital inputs.
Rewarding listen
Tonality with voices and instruments is wonderfully lifelike and unfailingly accurate in a soundstage that grows and shrinks perfectly with the size of the piece being played. The Onkyo is equally happy capturing the intimacy of a solo performer in a small studio as it is with an orchestra on the rampage in the largest of venues.
The timing and rhythmic ability of the pairing is also extremely high. Ask the Onkyo to pick up the pace and it does so effortlessly, but always slow down again when you need it to. Part of this fluency is down to the superb bass performance.
This pairing is everything that 21st Century high end should be. The M-5000R is an accomplished performer, able to find the measure and tempo of any recording thrown at it.
The P-3000R is a fantastic combination of conventional technology well implemented and an excellent and insightful set of digital inputs. The expected benefits of upgrading to an amplifier in this class are realised in no uncertain terms. At the same time, the Onkyo offers a step up in performance for all, but the most accomplished digital sources.
We've waited twenty years for an amp of this calibre from Onkyo. If these units are a statement of intent for Onkyo hi-fi product to come, we can't wait to see what the brand can do in 2011 and beyond across the whole spectrum of price points.
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Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.
Show All Answers
- Explanation of the City of Chicago Heights residential rental ordinance - Overview of community policing and city resources available to assist you - Explanation of the Crime Free Lease Addendum with a sample provided - Crime Prevention and Risk Management - CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) overview - Applicant Screening - Active Property Management and working with the police department - An Attorney discussing leases and evictions issues - A workbook and additional valuable handouts and resource information
The Crime Free Lease Addendum was developed by HUD and is used in section 8 leases utilized by housing authorities. Evictions based on this concept were upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2002 (see Oakland Housing Authority v. Rucker and Department of Housing and Urban Development v. Rucker).


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I am trying to find or recreate a simple calisthenic workout I got from Health class in high school maybe 20 years ago. It was a one or two page schedule that increased weekly (and possibly varied within each week some as well).
Exercises included jog in place, jumping jacks, push ups, sit ups, and chin ups, though there could have been more.
First week was very low intensity, something like jog 4 minutes, push ups to 10 or fail, etc. Times and reps increased steadily.
I vaguely remember it was a "family exercise plan" or something, and we did it as a family. Now I am trying to find anything similar. I don't really care about the details of the method, just prefer calisthenics and no required equipment, and safe for a third grader and adults to do. The only completely laid out beginning workout schedules I can find are C25K or are weight equipment oriented.
Is there a C25K-like thing for calesthenics? Or a one page beginners calisthenic calendar?


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We use personal data about customers for a wide range of purposes. We use it to respond to your requests (including requests for newsletter subscriptions, materials, coupons/rebates/discounts and so on); to provide products or services that you have ordered; to process your order transactions and contact you regarding your order; to invite and help you participate in a range of online and offline events, activities and/or clubs; to allow you to post information and other content online; to improve our products, services and websites; to follow up with you after you have communicated with us or submitted information to us; to send promotional communications or offers (unless you have requested that we not send such communications); for marketing, research and legal purposes and other purposes (including, without limitation, call center recordings); to permit you to participate in and to otherwise administer sweepstakes, promotions and contests; to allow you to contact another person; to address your interests and concerns; and as otherwise specified in this Privacy Policy and/or at the point of personal data collection.
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